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Organizers of what’s being called the city’s greatest ever Pride Parade are crediting Calgary’s mayor and a showing from the Flames for its success.

A parade of more than 40 colour-drenched floats snaked its way along 8 Ave. S.W. while throngs of participants shouted, danced, and hollered with pride.

Rainbow colours — a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered pride — hung from a city vehicle leading the three-block long parade toward Millennium Park as music from the likes of the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry echoed through the core.

Thousands lined the street, some gathered on balconies to watch the floats drift slowly by and cheer on Mayor Naheed Nenshi, the first mayor to marshall Calgary’s annual parade.

Pride Calgary publicist Jessica Dollard said the mayor’s involvement shows “great leadership,” and, alongside high temperatures, was a major attraction for the volunteers, spectators and float entrants.

“Mayor Nenshi has stepped up,” she said smiling.

It was a parade of another first — the Calgary Flames organization sponsored an entry that snaked along with the rest.

Dollard said their involvement sends an important message.

“Their support shows you don’t have to be gay to support gay rights or human rights for that matter, because that’s really what it’s about,” she said.

Police estimates given to Pride Calgary organizers indicate 15,000 people turned out for the event, about 5,000 more than last year, a day hampered by bad weather.

At a gathering held at Millennium Park, Nenshi told the crowd his decision to marshall the parade was a “no-brainer,” and that such events are what Calgary is all about.

He also encouraged young participants to keep their heads up.

“If a guy like me, a working class immigrant from east Calgary can end up being in this position, then any of the kids I see in the audience today can be anything,” he said.

Nenshi, sporting a purple T-shirt that read “STRAIGHT NOT NARROW” downplayed suggestions from organizers that his role as marshall played a key part in boosting turnout.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but I’m thrilled if I was able to shine a light on some of the good work these community volunteers are doing,” he said.